Egídio challenges us to find qualities of silence in our photographs. Following the guidance of photographer Robert Adams, Egídio suggests that we feature five specific ways of expressing silence.
Though you may have seen this photo before, it is still my favorite image where the light creates a profound sense of stillness and tranquility. Taken from the deck of Cabin 1 at Beach Haven, Orcas Island, WA looking west.
My family has been fishing on lakes at the summit of Willamette Pass, Oregon for decades. This photo bears “silent witness to environmental change on the landscape as a result of human activity.” Just a few years ago, the waterline of Crescent Lake came all the way up to where I stood, as I took this photo. Drought and the demand for agricultural irrigation have had a significant impact on this once verdant place.
Many of my photos feature silent landscapes with no human presence: The Silence of the Subject. Here, a Bald Eagle soars out over the wetland and forest at Cape Disappointment State Park, Ilwaco, WA.
Left: every time I walk along the surf’s edge at Long Beach, I remove a shopping bag full of trash from the shoreline. Right: on the pathway from the beach to The Breakers Condominiums is a pole which through the years is over-loaded with flotsam, and surrounded by junk. Some of the litter is understandable, like ropes and buoys that get blown away or dislodged from boats in heavy ocean waves and gales. The rest of it is plain human negligence. This is my silent protest against the destruction of our environment and the violation of earths natural beauty.
I struggled most selecting my best photo to represent The Silence of the Viewer. The goal here is to “bring the viewer into a contemplative mood and a silent dialogue with the image”. While on a beach walk, I chanced upon this alter set near the berm, and the scene captivated me. Hope it does the same for you.
On your walk with life, please honor our earth, encourage dignity and share kindness. 🐾
A big shout-out to Egídio for suggesting this tough and thoughtful challenge. Instead of watching or listening to news for the next four years, I intend to use my time exploring beauty through Lens-
Artists posts, and being out with my camera.
